Great Presents and A Good Gifts For Therapist
Looking For A Good Gift For A Therapist?
Are you looking for the perfect present for your mental health-oriented buddy or a friend who happens to be a in the mental health world? Look no further! In this blog post, we have compiled a list of exciting and useful ideas that will put a smile on their face when they see you care. Whether you want to show your appreciation or simply want to surprise them with something special, we have got you covered.
Don't buy just anything, you can do better with us and our more unique gift ideas for clinicians. Keep coming back to this page and we'll add to it as we discover more fun and thoughtful ideas that will resonate with mental health professionals.
So, let's dive in and explore giving these amazing ideas to clinicians.
Mental Health Professionals Presents and Good Presents For A Therapist
I'm a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and here are my thoughts on the topic of buying presents for your clinician
In short, yes, it is perfectly okay to buy your counselor something. Giving a great present can be a meaningful way to show your appreciation for the work they do and the impact they have on your life. Research shows that gift-giving is quite the norm in some surveys, so get your festive feelings on and take a look at these ideas we have. Before you whip out the old Amex..
...and this is the important part....
- Presents are absolutely not expected. Most people don't buy their therapists anything.
- Expect that your clinician will want to 'process' what it is, and why you got them it. If a client gave me something I would be asking them all kinds of questions about the feelings behind it before I accepted it. I would want to make sure where it's coming from.
- In most cases, you already pay your therapist, so a very large or expensive present probably won't be appropriate and your counselor might not accept it. This is especially true if you're struggling financially and your counselor knows about your financial situation and it becomes an ethical issue to accept big or expensive items.
- The present should be small and a token gesture - or even just a card with a personalized message. Something handmade would also be appreciated and a heartfelt gesture too; stay away from giving big items like spa treatments or shirts and t-shirts.
- Some therapists and counselors will have their own rules about accepting anything (see below) from clients, so be prepared for that. Their own rules about accepting things is very different from their rules about you buying them anything. It may seem like semantics, but you are free to buy something, it's on them whether their therapists accept it or not,
Read on for the best presents for therapists...
What type of gift might I buy for a therapist that is appropriate?
If you're going to get a present this holiday season, finding ideas for thoughtful presents for counselors can feel overwhelming. Thinking about the right idea for someone who has played a significant role in your mental health can be seriously challenging.
When it comes to getting a gift for a therapist it's important to choose something that reflects your thanks and appreciation for their professional support without breaking the bank. To help you make a thoughtful choice, we've compiled a source list of ideas that are bound to touch their heart and show how much their guidance has meant to you.
A Therapist Mug Or Mug Warmer - a seriously good gift for a therapist
This could be the best idea if your therapist is always sipping on a cup of tea or coffee. You could also think of the color mugs they already have and go from there? You could also consider a travel tumbler or insulated beverage mug with lid too. Giving anything beverage-related has to be the right call!
Buy On Etsy
Keychain - giving a keychain for the office or home is a simple and affordable idea for a client to buy a mental health professional.
Note Book- therapists have to write a lot of notes, so a simple journal or notepad could be a practical and essential gift.
Buy On EtsyChocolates or Flowers - Or A Plant might also be an obvious choice, but even psychotherapists love these around the hols. Who doesn't like to be given these?
Therapeutic Christma Ornaments - truly unique gift ideas for clinicians have to be those that incorporate therapy things with the Holidays. A Christmas ornament or decorations could be a simple and affordable gift that says thank you. But you could go one step further and get them ours! We call them the 'Feeling Festive Ornament' with a feelings wheel on one side and 'feeling festive' on the other. I told you the therapist's humor was weird.
Room Freshener - some therapists like to give their office a quick spritz between sessions. Could we consider it them paying it forward to the next client?! Maybe some lavender candles or sage-scented things could work?
Find more therapist appreciation presents in our Etsy store, or read about more ideas here and here
Buy On Etsy
Christmas Cards for Therapists
Christmas cards are always a thoughtful and appropriate gift for therapists. You can find cards to give on your last day before the holiday that are specifically designed for therapists below. Or choose a more generic holiday card at the store and create a heartfelt message expressing your thanks for their support. Personalizing the card with a handwritten note can make that contact it even more meaningful.
Remember, the most important aspect of giving a gift to your clinician is the thought and appreciation behind it. Choose an item that reflects your admiration for their support, and it's sure to be well-received.
Santa's Feeling Festive Cards.
We took the feelings wheel, and made it festive, because, well, y'know, you feel all kinds of festive this time of you year.
You Feeling Festive Deer Cards?
If you're not so into Santa, we took that feelings wheel and made it all about Rudolph. Happy Holidays.
Filled With Festive Feelings Cards
If you're feeling festive around the Holiday's, this is the card for you to share. Comes in a set of ten and soon as an individual card.
A Fairly Freudian Holiday Card
Therapists like us can't help but crack a Freud joke once in a while, particularly over the Holidays. We figured if you're going to make a joke that, why not make it a festive Candy Cane version. We are gifted like that.
Is It Appropriate to Give Your Therapist a Thank You present or a Holiday Gift?
Some hold the view that giving things to a therapist is generally inappropriate and that probably comes from the way we are taught. A lot of therapists are instructed to refrain from accepting any giftware from their patients under all circumstances. Adhering to this guideline helps prevent conflicts of interest or any perception of misconduct. The consensus among some is that monetary exchanges between a therapist and a client should be strictly confined to the payment of session fees.
From a certain perspective, this rationale is understandable. For a number of clients, offering a gift might serve as a plea for acceptance, an attempt to curry favor, a means to feel acknowledged, or even a manipulative tactic. In such instances, it might be prudent for your them to politely decline the gift.
Conversely, there are individuals who might give a gift as part of a holiday tradition, in adherence to cultural norms, or simply as a sincere expression of your thanks. If accepting a gift does not jeopardize the integrity of the therapist-client relationship, it might be deemed okay to receive it.
The responsibility ultimately lies with your clinician to assess whether accepting a gift is ok. It could potentially grow a constructive therapeutic alliance or, conversely, hurt them, in which case it would be advisable to refuse the gift.
If You're A Therapist And Have Questions About Presents.
Don't take my word for it; follow your own training and your own heart on the subject. But for the record here's what CAMFT says about it, (and note, this therapist is based in California)
"Whether or not a therapist chooses to accept a client’s gift, reject a client’s gift, or offer a gift of their own. The therapist’s intent should be to ensure their response — and the manner in which it is communicated and handled — strengthens the therapeutic alliance. And reinforces the effectiveness of therapy and enhances clinical outcomes."
Challenges That May Arise from Therapists Giving Presents.
Giving a gift to a client has the potential to either disrupt or enhance the therapeutic alliance. So, if you are a clinician and you choose to be gifting this holiday season, it is crucial to think through the various implications. Most of all think about the risk of the client misinterpreting the gesture.
The consideration should always be whether the action contributes positively to the client’s journey towards achieving their goals in a safe manner. Reflect upon the following questions:
- What motivates the act of giving this gift?
- Is this gift something you give to many individuals during a specific time of the year?
- Is this a one-time gesture?
- Most crucially, could this action potentially undermine or damage the therapeutic relationship?
Final thoughts for therapists on this topic:
Develop thoughtful and sensitive responses ahead of time for both accepting and declining items ahead of time. Then, formulate a strategy for instances in which you might choose to give to your clients.
If you find yourself uncertain about the ethical implications of accepting, declining, or giving a gift, seek advice. Even if you are unsure about the guidelines you want to set for gift exchanges. Reach out to seasoned therapists, colleagues, mentors, and your professional association for their perspectives and advice.
Tip: In a situation where a client is offering you a gift and you are uncertain about how to respond, take a moment to pause. Tell them thank you, and then gently explain that you need to check with your professional association. Then you can call to determine if it is permissible for you to accept their generous gift.
Maintain detailed records of the instances in which you accepted, declined, or gave a gift. Document the nature of the gift, and include any pertinent information about your reasons for the exchange, as well as details about the session itself. This practice ensures transparency and helps maintain the integrity of the therapeutic relationship.
Coming Soon:
Giftwrap and other giftware: standby for more updates
Also:
Read what ideas the NY Magazine had to offer last year, and what Well and Good said last year.
